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While Germany just retired its last nuclear power reactors, its next-door neighbor Poland is working on multiple nuclear power projects. Polskie Elektrownie Jądrowe (PEJ). PEJ is a special purpose “vehicle” that is owned one hundred percent by the State Treasury. It has submitted an application to Poland's Ministry of Climate for what is called a decision-in-principle on the construction o the countries first large nuclear power plant. In the meantime, Orlen Synthos Green Energy (OSE) has just announced seven potential sites for the country’s first small modular reactors (SMRs).
The decision-in-principle will formally confirm that the investment in the plant is congruent with the public interest and the policies pursued by the state, including energy policy. The decision will also allow the investor, PEJ, to apply for further administrative decisions. These includes a siting decision and a construction permit.
A spokesperson for PEJ said that the submitted application includes descriptions of project characteristics. These include the maximum total installed capacity, the planned operating period and details of the technology to be utilized in the construction of the plant.
PEJ said that the description that was provided was “in line with government documents, including the resolution of the Council of Ministers of 2 November 2022, recognizing the need to build a nuclear power plant with a capacity of up to 3750 MWe in the area of the communes of Choczewo or Gniewino and Krokowa and based on US AP1000 reactor technology”.
They added that “An important element of the application for the decision-in-principle is the justification of the importance of the implementation of this project for securing the electricity demand in Poland. The rationale also emphasizes the compatibility of PEJ's project with strategic government documents, including Poland's Energy Policy until 2040 and the European Union's climate policy.”
PEJ noted that the application was submitted on the earliest possible date. They took this action once the amended special nuclear act legislating the development and execution of the project for nuclear power facilities and associated infrastructure went into force.
Łukasz Młynarkiewicz is the acting President of PEJ. He said that “The application for the decision-in-principle filed today represents another important step by Polskie Elektrownie Jądrowe towards obtaining all the necessary administrative approvals to begin construction of Poland's first nuclear power plant. "We are submitting it on the earliest date possible, as we are keen to significantly accelerate the pace of implementation of this key project for our country. We are also aware of the significance of this project and the importance of the further stages before us, which we will implement according to the approved schedule.”
In September of 2021, it was announced that six big, pressurized water reactors with a combined installed capacity of six to nine gigawatts could be build by 2040. This would be part of Poland’s plan to reduce its reliance on coal. According to the adopted schedule, the construction of the first nuclear power plant will begin in 2026. The first reactor will have a capacity of one to one and six tenths gigawatts. It will be commissioned in 2033. Subsequent units will be implemented every two to three years thereafter. The coastal towns of Lubiatowo and Kopalino in Poland’s Choczewo municipality in the province of Pomerania have been named as the preferred location for the country’s first big nuclear power plant.
Please read Part 2 next